Under-23 Men's Individual Time Trial, 32.8 kms

Tuesday, October 6, 1998

Report

Well day one of the World Championships in Limburg. A very cold
and becoming wet Limburg. Make that freezing cold. The strong
northerly wind did not help either. I went out for several hours
myself this morning and despite riding fairly constantly I never
got warm.

The time trials started off down in the valley (Maas) in the
centre of Maastricht. The first sections were largely uneventful
although the 6 degree temperature certainly didn't provide for
loose joints.

The only real problems were the ascent of the Bemelerberg and
the wind on the exposed parts of the course around Margraten.

While the Junior Women did not have to contend with the second
climb on the circuit - the Cauberg (coming out of Valkenburg), the
Under-23 men did. It came at the end of the time trial and is a 12
per cent 1 km drain on the legs. Mostly it can be done in the big
ring. This part of the circuit is actually quite technical because
the riders come down a long and very fast hill into the heart of
Valkenburg, then have to negotiate a very sharp left hand turn
(less than 90 degrees) and are immediately confronted with
the climb. While time trial riders were not as challenged
by this technical aspect in the road race where the bunch will
have to slow down more - the riders at the back will get dropped
very easily. Once over the Cauberg, the riders had a very fast
downhill (gentle) finish in Vilt.

Norwegian Thor Hushovd kept the World ITT in the country when he
won the Under-23 race over 32.8 kms at an average speed of 45.419
in trying conditions. Last year in San Sebastian, Kurt Arvensen
was successful. But the national coach said that Hushovd
has "more talent than Arvensen. He is very elegant and strong for
a young rider (20 years). He won the Paris-Roubaix in spring and was
second in the GP des Nations a month ago in his age category."

But it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Earlier this year he had to take
a long time out to get over a knee injury. He said after the win today:
"I pushed myself too hard, and I had to stop racing for six months so that
my knees could recover. It was a big surprise to take the title. I hoped
for a medal but I considered victory impossible. As I am still only 20
I will wait at least a year before becoming a professional."

Frenchman Frédéric Finot was only 3 seconds behind Hushovd. He said later:
"I was aiming to be in the first 5. A medal, it was beyond my hopes."

Finot is 21 and rides for the French club Vaulx-en-Velin. He came third in
the GP des Nations. He is definitely a rider who has endurance and a good
sprint in smaller groups.

Overall, there was very little atmosphere on Day 1 of the Worlds. The
weather definitely kept the crowds away - the parcours was very empty.
Tomorrow, the women ride their time trial and the weather is predicted
to worsen - the rain will come to join the cold.